Palm Beach, Sero Blanco Travel Guide

Palm Beach is a dynamic and popular destination on the Aruban coast, known for its beautiful shoreline and bustling atmosphere. Officially registered as a beach in 1960, its name comes from a former coconut plantation, mirroring the famous Palm Beach in Florida. However, some locals say that the name comes from Adriaan Laclé and doctor Hopkins, who started planting date palms and coco palms in the area in 1917.Historically, the area was inhabited by Caquetios Indians around 100 A.D.. Spanish explorer Alonso de Ojeda arrived in 1499, followed by the Dutch, who controlled the island for most of its history, with brief English rule during the Napoleonic Wars. Palm Beach's transformation into a tourist hub began in 1947 with the opening of its first tourist office. The first hotel, Hotel Basi-Ruti, consisting of bungalows on the sand, opened in the fifties.Today, Palm Beach is lined with high-rise hotels, shops, malls like Paseo Herencia and Palm Beach Plaza Mall, restaurants, casinos, and bars. The soft, white sand is groomed daily, and the calm, clear waters are ideal for swimming and snorkeling. Palm Beach offers various water sports, piers, and opportunities for barefoot dining. The area comes alive at night with clubs and casinos.While it can get crowded, especially near the hotels, quieter spots can be found towards the north, between the Holiday Inn and the Marriott, and to the south, between the Wyndham and the Divi Phoenix.